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County will present EMS service options to Public Safety Committee after TCOG discussion
Summary
County staff and outside consultants will present proposals to the Public Safety Committee on countywide EMS options, including consultant briefings and an analysis of funding and service models.
Tompkins County legislators and municipal representatives on May 16 discussed ongoing work to analyze countywide emergency medical services and noted two analysis proposals that will be reviewed publicly at the county level.
County administration reported that Mike and his team from Dua will present to the Public Safety Committee next week, and the county is also expecting a proposal from CGR for an analysis and funding mechanism for countywide EMS services. The report described the coming review as an opportunity for the Public Safety Committee and municipalities to weigh models for providing ambulance and EMS services, identify gaps, and address payment or funding strategies.
Discussion participants emphasized persistent gaps in coverage and uneven service by geography. Several speakers noted documented response-time gaps where ambulances took excessive time to arrive and municipal providers are carrying burdens for calls outside their taxing jurisdictions. Officials urged that any county effort incorporate existing municipal and volunteer providers and that stakeholder concerns be included in planning.
A consultant, Paul Bishop of Penfield, was identified by a subcommittee as a potential presenter; committee members said he has statewide experience in EMS consulting and may present a preliminary proposal to the Public Safety Committee as a “proposal to make a proposal.” County staff said the consultant’s work would be one input among internal staff work and stakeholder discussions.
Members discussed state-level conversations about essential services legislation but cautioned that statewide statute or funding was not an immediate solution. The committee encouraged municipalities to view the county’s planned presentations (scheduled for the Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 27 at 1 p.m.) and to engage in the review process; no binding decision on service model or funding was made at the TCOG meeting.
